Thin film transistor array panel

ABSTRACT

A thin film transistor array panel includes: a data line which extends in a column direction and transfers a data voltage; a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode connected to the data line and adjacent in a row direction; a first thin film transistor connected to the first pixel electrode and the data line, and including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode; and a second thin film transistor connected to the second pixel electrode and the data line, and including a second source electrode and a second drain electrode. The first pixel electrode is at the right of the data line, the second pixel electrode is at the left of the data line, and relative positions of the first source electrode and the first drain electrode are the same as relative positions of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode.

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2011-0112342 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Oct. 31, 2011, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention The invention relates to a thin filmtransistor array panel.

(b) Description of the Related Art

The use of a flat panel display as a display device has grown rapidlywhile the flat panel display occupies a significantly large portion ofthe market. The flat panel display is a display device in which anoverall thickness is relatively thin as compared to a size of a displayscreen of the display device.

As a widely used flat panel display, for example, there are a liquidcrystal display and an organic light emitting display.

The display device includes a display panel including pixels arranged ina matrix form, and a thin film transistor array panel which faces anopposite panel. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode, a commonelectrode, and a thin film transistor as a switching element that isconnected to each pixel electrode. The thin film transistor is connectedto a gate line that transfers a gate signal generated by a gate driverand to a data line that transfers a data signal generated by a datadriver. The thin film transistor transfers the data signal to the pixelelectrode or blocks the data signal according to the gate signal. Eachpixel of the display device may display primary colors such as red,green and blue. The primary colors of each pixel may be displayed bydisposing a color filter or an emission layer emitting light of anintrinsic color, on a region corresponding to each pixel.

In the case of the liquid crystal display, an electric field isgenerated in a liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to the pixelelectrode and common electrode. In order to prevent a degradationphenomenon generated by applying the electric field in one direction tothe liquid crystal layer for a long time, a polarity of the data voltagewith respect to the common voltage for each frame, each row or eachpixel is inverted.

The gate driver and the data driver of the display device generallyinclude a plurality of driver integrated circuit (“IC”) chips, and sincethe data driver IC chip is more expensive than the gate driver IC chip,it is necessary to decrease the number of the data driver IC chip.

With respect to the connection relationship between the data line andpixel in decreasing the number of data driver IC chips, arrangements ofthe source electrode and drain electrode of the thin film transistor ofa plurality of pixels disposed in the same pixel row or the same pixelcolumn may be different from each other. Accordingly, in a manufacturingstep of the thin film transistor array panel, in the case wheremisalignment occurs with the opposite panel, an overlapping area betweenthe gate electrode and the source electrode, and between the gateelectrode and the drain electrode is changed, such that a deviation of akickback voltage occurs and a stain having a thin vertical line shape isobserved by the deviation of the kickback voltage when inversion drivingis performed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been made in an effort to remove a stain having a thinvertical line shape generated because structures and positions of thinfilm transistors are not identical with each other for each pixel.

Further, the invention has been made in an effort to improve an apertureratio of a display device.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a thin film transistorarray panel, including: a first gate line and a second gate line thatextend in a row direction, are disposed between two pixel rows that areadjacent to each other, and are adjacent to each other; a data line thatextends in a column direction and transfers a data voltage; a firstpixel electrode and a second pixel electrode that are connected to thedata line and are adjacent in the row direction; a first thin filmtransistor that is connected to the first pixel electrode and the dataline and includes a first source electrode and a first drain electrode;and a second thin film transistor that is connected to the second pixelelectrode and the data line and includes a second source electrode and asecond drain electrode. The second source electrode is connected to thedata line through a first source connection portion, the first sourceconnection portion is disposed between the first gate line and thesecond gate line, and relative positions of the first source electrodeand the first drain electrode are the same as relative positions of thesecond source electrode and the second drain electrode.

The first pixel electrode may be disposed at the right or left of thedata line, and the second pixel electrode may be disposed at an oppositeside to the first pixel electrode with respect to the data line.

The first source electrode may be disposed at the left of the firstdrain electrode in the row direction, and the second source electrodemay be disposed at the left of the second drain electrode.

The first source connection portion may not overlap the first gate lineand the second gate line.

The first source electrode may be connected to the data line through asecond source connection portion, and the second source connectionportion may be longer than the first source connection portion.

The second source connection portion may be disposed between the firstgate line and the second gate line.

The first source connection portion and the second source connectionportion may overlap the first gate line and the second gate line.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a thin filmtransistor array panel, including: a plurality of pixel electrodesarranged in a matrix form; a plurality of gate lines that extend in arow direction and are in two-to-one correspondence with pixel electroderows; and a plurality of data lines that extend in a column directionand are in one-to-two correspondence with pixel electrode columns. Theplurality of pixel electrodes include a first pixel electrode and asecond pixel electrode that are adjacent in a row direction with thefirst data line of the plurality of data lines disposed therebetween.The first pixel electrode is connected to a first source electrodeconnected to the first data line, a first drain electrode facing thefirst source electrode, and a first thin film transistor including afirst gate electrode. The second pixel electrode is connected to asecond source electrode connected to a second data line that is adjacentto the first data line, a second drain electrode facing the secondsource electrode, and a second thin film transistor including a secondgate electrode. The second source electrode is connected to the seconddata line through a first source connection portion, the first sourceconnection portion is disposed between two pixel electrode rows that areadjacent to each other, and is disposed between the first gate line andthe second gate line that are adjacent to each other among the pluralityof gate lines. Relative positions of the first source electrode and thefirst drain electrode are the same as relative positions of the secondsource electrode and the second drain electrode.

With respect to one pixel row, the first thin film transistor may bedisposed at an upper side or a lower side of the one pixel row, and thesecond thin film transistor may be disposed at an opposite side to thefirst thin film transistor.

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is possible todecrease a vertical line stain due to a deviation of a kickback voltagebetween a plurality of pixels by decreasing the deviation of thekickback voltage due to a misalignment by arranging a source electrodeand a drain electrode of a plurality of thin film transistors disposedon a plurality of pixels in a constant direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the invention will become more apparentby describing in further detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of a displaydevice including a thin film transistor array panel according to theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view that illustrates an exemplary embodiment of aportion of the display device including the thin film transistor arraypanel according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the display device taken along lineIV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view that illustrates a portion of the thin filmtransistor array panel of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view that illustrates another exemplary embodiment of aportion of a display device including a thin film transistor array panelaccording to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view that illustrates a portion of the thin filmtransistor array panel of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view that illustrates yet another exemplary embodimentof a portion of a thin film transistor array panel according to theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a view that illustrates still another exemplary embodiment ofan arrangement of pixels of a thin film transistor array panel accordingto the invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view that schematically illustrates the thin filmtransistor array panel illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view that illustrates another exemplary embodiment ofa portion of the thin film transistor array panel of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a view that illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment ofan arrangement of pixels of a thin film transistor array panel accordingto the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize, thedescribed embodiments may be modified in various different ways, allwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc.,are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals designate likeelements throughout the specification. It will be understood that whenan element such as a layer, film, region or substrate is referred to asbeing “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an elementis referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are nointervening elements present.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed asecond element, component, region, layer or section without departingfrom the teachings of the invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,”“above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe the relationship of one element or feature toanother element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It willbe understood that the spatially relative terms are intended toencompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, inaddition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if thedevice in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or“beneath” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“above” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elementsand/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of a thin film transistor array panelaccording to the invention and a display device including the same willbe described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of a displaydevice including a thin film transistor array panel according to theinvention.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the display device includes adisplay panel assembly 300, and a gate driver 400 and a data driver 500connected thereto.

The display panel assembly 300 includes a plurality of display signallines G1-G(2 n) and D1-Dm, and a plurality of pixels PX, R, G and B thatare connected to the display signal lines and arranged in ansubstantially matrix form.

In order to implement color displaying, each pixel PX, R, G and Bdisplays one of a plurality of primary colors, and a desired color isrecognized by a spatial and temporal sum of the primary colors. Theprimary color may include, but are not limited to, three primary colorssuch as red, green and blue (“RGB”).

The display signal lines G1-G(2 n) and D1-Dm include a plurality of gatelines G1-G(2 n) that transfer a gate signal (referred to as “scanningsignal”) and a plurality of data lines D1-Dm that transfer a datasignal. The gate lines G1-G(2 n) have a longitudinal axis which extendsin an approximate row direction and are parallel to each other, and thedata lines D1-Dm have a longitudinal axis which extends in anapproximate column direction and are almost parallel to each other. Thedisplay signal lines G1-G(2 n) and D1-Dm may be on a thin filmtransistor array panel included in the display panel assembly 300.

Each pixel PX, R, G and B includes a pixel electrode (not shown) thatreceives a data signal through a switching element (not shown) such as athin film transistor connected to the gate line G1-G(2 n) and data lineD1-Dm, and a common electrode (not shown) that faces the pixel electrodeand receives a common voltage Vcom. The pixels PX, R, G and B arearranged in pixel rows which extend in the row direction and in pixelcolumns which extend in the column direction.

Since the gate lines of a pair of gate lines G1 and G2, G3 and G4, . . .are respectively above and beneath each one pixel row, the pixel PX, R,G or B of one pixel row is connected to either one of the pair of gatelines G1 and G2, G3 and G4, . . . that are respectively adjacent aboveand beneath the one pixel row.

Further, one data line D1-Dm is disposed for every two pixel columns. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, since one data line D1-Dm is disposedbetween a pair of adjacent pixel columns, the pixel PX, R, G or B of theodd numbered pixel column is connected to the respective data line D1-Dmthat is directly adjacent at a first side (e.g., at the right) thereofthrough the switching element, and the pixel PX, R, G or B of the evennumbered pixel column is connected to the respective data line D1-Dmthat is directly adjacent at a second side opposing the first side(e.g., at the left) thereof through the switching element.

The gate driver 400 is connected to the gate lines G1-G(2 n) of thedisplay panel assembly 300, and applies a gate signal including acombination of a gate-on voltage Von that can turn on the switchingelement and a gate-off voltage Voff that can turn off the switchingelement to the gate lines G1-G(2 n).

The data driver 500 is connected to the data lines D1-Dm of the displaypanel assembly 300 and applies a data voltage to the data lines D1-Dm.

With reference to FIG. 2, a pixel column of red pixels R displaying ared color, a pixel column of green pixels G displaying a green color anda pixel column of blue pixels B displaying a blue color, are repeatedlyand alternately arranged in the row direction.

All the red pixels R are connected to the odd-numbered gate lines G1,G3, . . . , and G(2 n−1) that are disposed at an upper side of a pixelrow. Referring to only the red pixels R that are adjacent or consecutivein the row direction, the red pixels R are connected to respective datalines D1-Dm that are disposed at different sides. In FIG. 2, forexample, the red pixel R connected to a first data line D1 is connectedto the first data line D1 disposed at the right thereof, but the redpixel R connected to a second data line D2 is connected to the seconddata line D2 disposed at the left thereof.

In contrast, all the green pixels G are connected to the even-numberedgate lines G2, G4, . . . , and G(2 n−1) that are disposed at a lowerside of a pixel row. Referring to only the green pixels G that areadjacent or consecutive in the row direction, the green pixels G areconnected to respective data lines D1-Dm that are disposed at differentsides.

In the case of the blue pixel B, the blue pixels B within each pixel roware alternately connected to the gate lines G1-G(2 n) respectivelydisposed at upper and lower sides of the pixel row. Referring to onlythe blue pixels B that are adjacent or consecutive in a row direction,the blue pixels B are connected to the data lines D1-Dm that aredisposed at different sides.

The connection relationship of the pixels PX, R, G or B disposed in thesame pixel column, with respect to the gate lines G1-G(2 n) and datalines D1-Dm, may be the same.

The connection relationship between the pixels R, G and B and thedisplay signal lines G1-G(2 n) and D1-Dm illustrated in FIG. 2 is onlyan example, and the connection relationship and disposition may bechanged.

Hereinafter, a thin film transistor array panel according to theinvention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 is a plan view that illustrates an exemplary embodiment of aportion of the display device including the thin film transistor arraypanel according to the invention, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view ofthe display device taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 is a planview that illustrates a portion of the thin film transistor array panelof FIG. 3.

In the exemplary embodiment, the display device including the thin filmtransistor array panel is a liquid crystal display.

The display device includes a thin film transistor array panel 100 and acommon electrode panel 200 that face each other, and a liquid crystallayer 3 that is interposed between two display panels 100 and 200.

First, the common electrode panel 200 will be described. A lightblocking member 220 and a plurality of color filters 230 are on an upperinsulation substrate 210. Each color filter 230 may display any one of aplurality of primary colors such as three primary colors of red, greenand blue. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, at least one of thecolor filter 230 and light blocking member 220 may be on the thin filmtransistor array panel 100.

An overcoat 250 is on the color filter 230 and light blocking member220. A common electrode 270 is on the overcoat 250 and receives a commonvoltage Vcom.

Next, the thin film transistor array panel 100 will be described. A gateconductor including a plurality of first gate lines 121 a and aplurality of second gate lines 121 b, and a plurality of a plurality ofstorage voltage lines 131 a and 131 b, are on the lower insulationsubstrate 110.

The first gate line 121 a and the second gate line 121 b transmit gatesignals, each have a longitudinal axis that mainly extends in ahorizontal direction of the plan view, and are alternately disposed in avertical direction of the plan view. The first gate line 121 a and thesecond gate line 121 b at opposing sides of a pixel row form a pair ofgate lines. The first gate line 121 a of a first pair of gate lines iscloser to the second gate line 121 b of a different second pair of gatelines and disposed at an upper side of the pixel row, than the secondgate line 121 b disposed at a lower side of the same pixel row.

Each gate line 121 a and 121 b includes a plurality of first and secondgate electrodes 124 a and 124 b which extend directly from therespective gate line 121 a or 121 b.

A gate insulating layer 140 including silicon nitride (SiNx) or siliconoxide (SiOx) is on the gate lines 121 a and 121 b. A plurality ofsemiconductors 154 a and 154 b including hydrogenated amorphous silicon(amorphous silicon may be abbreviated as “a-Si”) or polysilicon are onthe gate insulating layer 140.

The semiconductors 154 a and 154 b include a first semiconductor 154 aand a second semiconductor 154 b respectively extending toward the firstgate electrode 124 a and the second gate electrode 124 b. The secondsemiconductor 154 b includes a portion 151 that has a longitudinal axiswhich extends in the vertical direction of the plan view, and aconnection portion 152 that is continuous with and extends from theportion 151 to the second gate electrode 124 b. The connection portion152 includes a portion that substantially extends side by side (e.g.,parallel) with the first and second gate lines 121 a and 121 b andbetween the first gate line 121 a and the second gate line 121 b thatare directly adjacent thereto.

A plurality of ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are on the semiconductors 154a and 154 b. The ohmic contact 163 and the ohmic contact 165 face eachother with respect to the first and second gate electrodes 124 a and 124b, form a pair of ohmic contacts and are disposed on the first andsecond semiconductors 154 a and 154 b.

A data conductor including a plurality of data lines 171 and a pluralityof drain electrodes 175 a and 175 b are on the ohmic contacts 163 and165 and on the gate insulating layer 140.

The data lines 171 transmit a data signal, each have a longitudinal axiswhich mainly extends in the vertical direction of the plan view, andcrosses both the first and second gate lines 121 a and 121 b. Each dataline 171 includes a first source electrode 173 a and a second sourceelectrode 173 b that extend from a portion of the data line 171 mainlyextending in the vertical direction and toward the first gate electrode124 a or the second gate electrode 124 b to the right of the data line171. A source connection portion 172 of the data line 171 is disposedbetween the portion of the data line 171 mainly extending in thevertical direction and the second source electrode 173 b. The sourceconnection portion 172 includes a portion that does not overlap thesecond gate electrode 124 b, has the same planar shape as the connectionportion 152 of the second semiconductor 154 b, and substantially extendsside by side (e.g., parallel) with the first gate line 121 a and thesecond gate line 121 b and between the first gate line 121 a and thesecond gate line 121 b that are directly adjacent thereto. The sourceconnection portion 172, the second source electrode 173 b and the dataline 171 are collectively a single, unitary, indivisible member.

The source connection portion 172 extends to the left of each data line171 in the plan view. The second source electrode 173 b continuous withand connected to the source connection portion 172 may overlap the gateelectrode that extends from the first gate line 121 a (the case of thefourth pixel in FIG. 3), or overlap the gate electrode that extends fromthe second gate line 124 b (the case of the second pixel and the sixthpixel in FIG. 3).

The first drain electrode 175 a faces the first source electrode 173 awith respect to the first gate electrode 124 a, and includes a rod typefirst end portion partially surrounded by the bent first sourceelectrode 173 a and a relatively wide extended second end portionopposite to the first end portion. The second drain electrode 175 bfaces the second source electrode 173 b with respect to the second gateelectrode 124 b, and includes a rod type first end portion partiallysurrounded by the bent second source electrode 173 b and a relativelywide extended second end portion opposite to the first end portion.

The first gate electrode 124 a, the first source electrode 173 a and thefirst drain electrode 175 a form a first thin film transistor (“TFT”) Qawith the first semiconductor 154 a, and a channel of the first thin filmtransistor Qa is on the first semiconductor 154 a between the spacedapart first source electrode 173 a and the first drain electrode 175 a.The second gate electrode 124 b, the second source electrode 173 b andthe second drain electrode 175 b form a second thin film transistor Qbwith the second semiconductor 154 b, and a channel of the second thinfilm transistor Qb is on the second semiconductor 154 b between theseparated second source electrode 173 b and the second drain electrode175 b. The first thin film transistor Qa is disposed at the right withrespect to the data line 171, and the second thin film transistor Qb isdisposed at the left with respect to the same data line 171.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second sourceelectrode 173 b of the second thin film transistor Qb disposed at theleft of the data line 171 may be disposed to the left of the seconddrain electrode 175 b facing the second source electrode 173 b in theplan view, through the source connection portion 172. Accordingly, thepositional relationship between the second source electrode 173 b andthe second drain electrode 175 b of the second thin film transistor Qbmay be the same as the positional relationship between the first sourceelectrode 173 a and the first drain electrode 175 a of the first thinfilm transistor Qa. Particularly, the source electrodes 173 a and 173 bare both to the left of the respective drain electrode 175 a and 175 bof the thin film transistors Qa and Qb. That is, since the positionalrelationship of the first source electrode 173 a with respect to thefirst drain electrode 175 a of the first thin film transistor Qa is thesame as the positional relationship of the second source electrode 173 bwith respect to the second drain electrode 175 b of the second thin filmtransistor Qb, shapes and an arrangement of the first thin filmtransistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qb are substantiallythe same as each other.

Gate conductors 121 a and 121 b and the data conductors 171, 175 a and175 b may be formed by laminating a corresponding conductive material onthe lower insulation substrate 110 through a photolithography process.The semiconductors 154 a and 154 b and the ohmic contacts 163 and 165may be formed in a same process or step of forming the data conductors171, 175 a and 175 b, such as through an exposure process using the samephotomask as the data conductors 171, 175 a and 175 b.

When the gate conductors 121 a and 121 b and the data conductors 171,175 a and 175 b are formed by different exposure processes as detailedabove, the photomask for exposing a photosensitive film is not alignedat a precise position, such that an alignment error may be generatedbetween the gate conductors 121 a and 121 b and the data conductors 171,175 a and 175 b. Particularly, with reference to FIG. 5, in the casewhere the alignment error is generated in a parallel direction with thegate lines 121 a and 121 b, and between the gate conductors 121 a and121 b and the data conductors 171, 175 a and 175 b, the data conductors171, 175 a and 175 b are moved to the left or right from a targetposition with respect to the gate conductors 121 a and 121 b. Ifdisposition or relative position of the source electrodes 173 a and 173b and the drain electrodes 175 a and 175 b of the first thin filmtransistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qb, respectively aredifferent from each other, an overlapping (planar) area between thefirst drain electrode 175 a and the first gate electrode 124 a disposedat the right with respect to the left data line 171 becomes differentfrom an overlapping area between the second drain electrode 175 b andthe second gate electrode 124 b disposed at the left with respect to theright data line 171.

However, in the exemplary embodiment of the invention, in all pixels R,G and B, since the positional relationship of the first source electrode173 a with respect to the first drain electrode 175 a of the first thinfilm transistor Qa disposed at the right with respect to the data line171 and the positional relationship of the second source electrode 173 bwith respect to the second drain electrode 175 b of the second thin filmtransistor Qb disposed at the left with respect to the data line 171 arethe same as each other, shapes and an arrangement of the first thin filmtransistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qb are substantiallythe same as each other. Accordingly, since the first drain electrode 175a and the second drain electrode 175 b are identically disposed at theright of the first source electrode 173 a and the second sourceelectrode 173 b, respectively, in the case where the data conductors171, 175 a and 175 b are moved to the left with respect to the gateconductors 121 a and 121 b, an overlapping area between the first drainelectrode 175 a and the second drain electrode 175 b and the first gateelectrode 124 a and the second gate electrode 124 b is uniformlyincreased. Additionally, if the data conductors 171, 175 a and 175 b aremoved to the right with respect to the gate conductors 121 a and 121 b,an overlapping area between the first drain electrode 175 a and thesecond drain electrode 175 b and the first gate electrode 124 a and thesecond gate electrode 124 b is uniformly decreased. Accordingly, acapacitance of a parasitic capacitor between the first drain electrode175 a and the second drain electrode 175 b and the first gate electrode124 a and the second gate electrode 124 b, respectively, is uniformlychanged in all pixels R, G and B.

Further, since the source connection portion 172 of the thin filmtransistor array panel according to the invention is mostly disposedbetween the first gate line 121 a and the second gate line 121 b thatare directly adjacent thereto, the source connection portion 172 is notdisposed in a display area, such that it is possible to reduce oreffectively prevent deterioration of an aperture ratio by the sourceconnection portion 172. In more detail, since the source connectionportion 172 is disposed between two gate lines 121 a and 121 b bothdisposed between two adjacent pixel rows, the source connection portion172 is further disposed in a non-display area. Accordingly, it ispossible to reduce or effectively prevent the deterioration of theaperture ratio by the source connection portion 172.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the secondsource electrode 173 b of the second thin film transistor Qb disposed atthe left of the data line 171 is connected to the data line 171 throughthe source connection portion 172, such that all the first and secondsource electrodes 173 a and 173 b of the first and second thin filmtransistors Qa and Qb are disposed at the left of the first and thesecond drain electrodes 175 a and 175 b. In an alternative exemplaryembodiment, the first source electrode 173 a of the first thin filmtransistor Qa disposed at the right of the data line 171 is connected tothe data line 171 through the source connection portion 172, and all thefirst and the second source electrodes 173 a and 173 b of the first andsecond thin film transistors Qa and Qb may be disposed at the right ofthe first and second drain electrodes 175 a and 175 b, respectively. Inthis case, a capacitance of a parasitic capacitor between the drainelectrodes 175 a and 175 b and the first gate electrode 124 a or thesecond gate electrode 124 b may be uniformly changed in all pixels R, Gand B.

The ohmic contacts 163 and 165 are present only between thesemiconductors 154 a and 154 b that are disposed therebeneath and thedata conductors 171, 175 a and 175 b that are disposed thereabove, andlower contact resistance therebetween. The semiconductors 154 a and 154b include exposed portions between the first source electrode 173 a andthe first drain electrode 175 a, and between the second source electrode173 b and the second drain electrode, that are not covered or overlappedwith the data conductors 171, 175 a and 175 b.

A passivation layer 180 is on the data conductors 171, 175 a and 175 band the exposed portions of the semiconductors 154 a and 154 b. Thepassivation layer 180 includes a plurality of first and second contactholes 185 a and 185 b that expose extended portions of the first andsecond drain electrode 175 a and 175 b, respectively, and are extendedcompletely through a thickness thereof.

A plurality of pixel electrodes 191 are on the passivation layer 180.The pixel electrode 191 may include a transparent conductive materialsuch as indium tin oxide (“ITO”) or indium zinc oxide (“IZO”), orreflective metal such as aluminum, silver, chromium or an alloy thereof.

The pixel electrodes 191 are physically and electrically connected tothe first and second drain electrodes 175 a and 175 b through the firstand second contact holes 185 a and 185 b and receive the data voltagefrom the first and second drain electrodes 175 a and 175 b,respectively. The pixel electrode 191 to which the data voltage isapplied generates an electric field in conjunction with the commonelectrode 270 of the common electrode panel 200 to determine a directionof liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 3 between thetwo electrodes 191 and 270. As described above, according to thedetermined direction of the liquid crystal molecules, the polarizationof light that passes through the liquid crystal layer 3 is changed. Thepixel electrode 191 and the common electrode 270 form a liquid crystalcapacitor in conjunction with a liquid crystal layer portion 3therebetween, such that the applied voltage is maintained even after thefirst and second thin film transistors Qa and Qb are turned off.

As described above, in all pixels R, G and B, since the respectiveoverlapping area between the first and second drain electrodes 175 a and175 b and the first and second gate electrodes 124 a and 124 b isuniformly changed by the alignment error, when a gate-off voltage Voffis applied to the first gate line 121 a or the second gate line 121 b, akickback voltage decreasing a data voltage applied to the pixelelectrode 191 also becomes uniform, such that display defects such as astain having a vertical line shape according to the deviation of thekickback voltage may be decreased.

As described above, in the case where one data line 171 is disposed forevery two pixel electrode columns and the first and second thin filmtransistors Qa and Qb connected to the data line 171 are disposed at theleft and right of the data line 171, respectively, it is possible todecrease the deviation of the kickback voltage and decrease the verticalline stain by making the positional relationship of the sourceelectrodes 173 a and 173 b and the drain electrodes 175 a and 175 b ofthe first thin film transistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qbconstant through an element such as the source connection portion 172.The method for making the positional relationships of the sourceelectrodes 173 a and 173 b and the drain electrodes 175 a and 175 b ofthe first thin film transistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qbconstant is not limited to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, upper and lowerpositions of the thin film transistors Qa and Qb of pixels connected toa single data line 171, that is, the first gate line 121 a and thesecond gate line 121 b to which the thin film transistors Qa and Qb areconnected, may be changed unlike in FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG. 2. Forexample, regardless of the kind of pixels R, G and B, the upper andlower positions of the first and second thin film transistors Qa and Qbconnected at the left and right of the data line 171 may be constant foreach data line 171.

Another exemplary embodiment of a thin film transistor array panelaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6and FIG. 7. FIG. 6 is a plan view that illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of a portion of a display device including a thin filmtransistor array panel according to the invention, and FIG. 7 is a planview that illustrates a portion of the thin film transistor array panelof FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the exemplary embodiment of the thin filmtransistor array panel is similar to the thin film transistor arraypanel of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. Similarconstituent elements are the same as the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the exemplary embodiment of the thin film transistor array panel inFIGS. 6 and 7, unlike the thin film transistor array panel of theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, a first sourceelectrode 173 a of a first thin film transistor Qa disposed at the rightof a data line 171 is connected to the data line 171 through a firstsource connection portion 172 a, and a second source electrode 173 b ofa second thin film transistor Qb disposed at the left of an the dataline 171 is connected to the data line 171 through a second sourceconnection portion 172 b. In this case, the first source connectionportion 172 a is shorter than the second source connection portion 172b.

The first source connection portion 172 a and the second sourceconnection portion 172 b include a portion that partially overlaps withthe gate lines 121 a and 121 b, and the first source connection portion172 a and the second source connection portion 172 b do not overlap thefirst gate electrode 124 a and the second gate electrode 124 b. Thefirst source connection portion 172 a and the second source connectionportion 172 b also include a portion that substantially extends side byside (e.g., parallel) with the first and second gate lines 121 a and 121b and between the first gate line 121 a and the second gate line 121 bthat are directly adjacent thereto.

The first gate electrode 124 a, the first source electrode 173 a and thefirst drain electrode 175 a form a first thin film transistor (“TFT”) Qawith the first semiconductor 154 a, and a channel of the first thin filmtransistor Qa is on the first semiconductor 154 a between the firstsource electrode 173 a and the first drain electrode 175 a. Further, thesecond gate electrode 124 b, the second source electrode 173 b and thesecond drain electrode 175 b form a second thin film transistor Qb withthe second semiconductor 154 b, and a channel of the second thin filmtransistor Qb is on the second semiconductor 154 b between the secondsource electrode 173 b and the second drain electrode 175 b. The firstthin film transistor Qa is disposed at the right of the data line 171,and the second thin film transistor Qb is disposed at the left of thesame data line 171.

In the exemplary embodiment of the thin film transistor, since all thefirst source electrodes 173 a and the second source electrodes 173 b ofthe first thin film transistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qbdisposed at the right and left of the data line 171 are connected to thedata line 171 through the first source connection portion 172 a and thesecond source connection portion 172 b that partially overlap the gatelines 121 a and 121 b, respectively, a difference in parasiticcapacitance according to a difference between an overlapping (planar)area between the first source electrode 173 a and the gate lines 121 aand 121 b of the first thin film transistor Qa and an overlapping areabetween the second source electrode 173 b and gate lines 121 a and 121 bof the second thin film transistor Qb may be effectively eliminated.Accordingly, it is possible to reduce or effectively preventdeterioration in display quality according to the difference inparasitic capacitance between the first thin film transistor Qa and thesecond thin film transistor Qb disposed at the right and left of thedata line 171.

In the exemplary embodiment of the thin film transistor array panel ofFIGS. 6 and 7, like the thin film transistor array panel of theexemplary embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, thepositional relationship between the second source electrode 173 b andthe second drain electrode 175 b of the second thin film transistor Qbmay be the same as the positional relationship between the first sourceelectrode 173 a and the first drain electrode 175 a of the first thinfilm transistor Qa. That is, since the positional relationship of thefirst source electrode 173 a with respect to the first drain electrode175 a of the first thin film transistor Qa is the same as the positionrelationship of the second source electrode 173 b with respect to thesecond drain electrode 175 b of the second thin film transistor Qb,shapes and an arrangement of the first thin film transistor Qa and thesecond thin film transistor Qb are substantially the same as each other.Accordingly, a capacitance of a parasitic capacitor between the firstdrain electrode 175 a and the second drain electrode 175 b and the firstgate electrode 124 a and the second gate electrode 124 b, respectively,is uniformly changed in all pixels R, G and B.

Further, since the exemplary embodiment of the first and second sourceconnection portions 172 a and 172 b of the thin film transistor arraypanel according to the invention are mostly disposed between the firstgate line 121 a and the second gate line 121 b that are directlyadjacent thereto, the source connection portions 172 a and 172 b are notdisposed in a display area, such that it is possible to reduce oreffectively prevent deterioration of an aperture ratio by the first andsecond source connection portions 172 a and 172 b. In more detail, sincethe first and second source connection portions 172 a and 172 b aredisposed between two gate lines 121 a and 121 b both disposed betweentwo adjacent pixel rows, the source connection portions 172 a and 172 bare disposed in a non-display area. Accordingly, it is possible toreduce or effectively prevent deterioration of an aperture ratio by thefirst and second source connection portions 172 a and 172 b.

All characteristics of the thin film transistor array panel of theexemplary embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 can beapplied to the thin film transistor array panel of the exemplaryembodiment described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of a thin film transistor array panelaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8.FIG. 8 is a plan view that illustrates yet another exemplary embodimentof a portion of a thin film transistor array panel according to theinvention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the exemplary embodiment of the thin filmtransistor array panel is similar to the thin film transistor arraypanel of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. Similarconstituent elements are the same as the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Unlike the thin film transistor array panel of the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the exemplary embodiment of the thinfilm transistor array panel in FIG. 8, a source connection portion 172that is connected to a second source electrode 173 b of a second thinfilm transistor Qb at the left of a data line 171 does not overlap gatelines 121 a and 121 b. The second gate line 121 b includes a notch orrecess such that the source connection portion 172 does not overlap thesecond gate line 121 b. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate adifference in parasitic capacitance according to a difference between anoverlapping (planar) area between a first source electrode 173 a and thegate lines 121 a and 121 b of a first thin film transistor Qa and anoverlapping area between the second source electrode 173 b and the gatelines 121 a and 121 b of the second thin film transistor Qb.Accordingly, it is possible to reduce or effectively preventdeterioration in display quality according to a difference in parasiticcapacitance between the first thin film transistor Qa and the secondthin film transistor Qb disposed and the right and left of the data line171.

In the exemplary embodiment of the thin film transistor array panel ofFIG. 8, like the thin film transistor array panel of the exemplaryembodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, thepositional relationship between the second source electrode 173 b andthe second drain electrode 175 b of the second thin film transistor Qbmay be the same as the positional relationship between the first sourceelectrode 173 a and the first drain electrode 175 a of the first thinfilm transistor Qa. That is, since the positional relationship of thefirst source electrode 173 a with respect to the first drain electrode175 a of the first thin film transistor Qa is the same as the positionalrelationship of the second source electrode 173 b with respect to thesecond drain electrode 175 b of the second thin film transistor Qb,shapes and an arrangement of the first thin film transistor Qa and thesecond thin film transistor Qb are substantially the same as each other.Accordingly, a capacitance of a parasitic capacitor between the firstdrain electrode 175 a and the second drain electrode 175 b and the firstgate electrode 124 a and the second gate electrode 124 b, respectively,is uniformly changed in all pixels R, G and B.

Further, since the exemplary embodiment of the source connection portion172 of the thin film transistor array panel according to the inventionis mostly disposed between the first gate line 121 a and the second gateline 121 b that are directly adjacent thereto, the source connectionportion 172 is not disposed in a display area, such that it is possibleto reduce or effectively prevent deterioration of an aperture ratio bythe source connection portion 172. In more detail, since the sourceconnection portion 172 is disposed between two gate lines 121 a and 121b both disposed between two adjacent pixel rows, the source connectionportion 172 is disposed in a non-display area. Accordingly, it ispossible to reduce or effectively prevent the deterioration of theaperture ratio by the source connection portion 172.

In the above, all characteristics of the thin film transistor arraypanel of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 to5 and the thin film transistor array panel of the exemplary embodimentdescribed with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be applied to a thinfilm transistor array panel of the exemplary embodiment described withreference to FIG. 8.

Still another exemplary embodiment of a thin film transistor array panelaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9and FIG. 10. FIG. 9 is a view that illustrates another exemplaryembodiment of an arrangement of pixels of the thin film transistor arraypanel according to the invention, and FIG. 10 is a plan view thatschematically illustrates the thin film transistor array panelillustrated in FIG. 9.

With reference to FIG. 9, in the case of the exemplary embodiment of thethin film transistor array panel, similarly as the thin film transistorarray panel of the exemplary embodiment as described above, a pair ofgate lines Gi+1 and Gi+2, and Gi+3 and Gi+4 are disposed respectivelyabove and beneath one row of pixels PX, and data lines Dj are disposedone between two columns of pixels PX.

Further, the thin film transistors Qa and Qb connected to a pair ofpixels PX disposed between two data lines Dj−1 and Dj, and Dj and Dj+1that are adjacent to each other in one pixel row are connected todifferent gate lines Gi+1 and Gi+2, and Gi+3 and Gi+4. In the exemplaryembodiment, for example, the thin film transistors Qa disposed beneaththe pixel PX is connected to the lower gate lines Gi+2 and Gi+4, and thethin film transistors Qb disposed above the pixel X is connected to theupper gate lines Gi+1 and Gi+3. In addition, a pair of pixels PX betweentwo data lines are all connected to the same data lines Dj−1, Dj andDj+1. Among a pair of pixels PX, the pixel PX that is disposed at arelatively far distance from the data lines Dj−1, Dj and Dj+1 comparedto the other pixel PX of the pair is connected to the respective dataline Dj−1, Dj and Dj+1 by a connection portion. The connection portionfor connecting the data lines Dj−1, Dj and Dj+1 to the relatively farpixel PX is disposed between two gate lines directly adjacent to eachother.

Further, two pairs of pixels PX that are adjacent in a column directionare connected to different data lines Dj−1 and Dj and Dj and Dj+1, andtwo pairs of pixels PX that are adjacent in a row direction areconnected to different data lines Dj−1 and Dj, and Dj and Dj+1. Thedirections of the thin film transistors are the same as each other, forexample, a first pixel PX closer to the data line of a pair of pixels PXis under the pixel PX and a second pixel PX further from the data lineof the pair of pixels PX is above the pixel PX. As a result, in a 4×4matrix structure, four pairs of pixels PX arranged in a matrix arerepeatedly arranged in a row direction and a column direction.

With reference to FIG. 10, the thin film transistor array panelillustrated in FIG. 9 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 10, the exemplary embodiment of the thin filmtransistor array panel is similar to the thin film transistor arraypanel of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. Similarconstituent elements are the same as the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, and a description thereof will be omitted.

However, in the exemplary embodiment of the thin film transistor arraypanel of FIGS. 9 and 10, unlike the thin film transistor array panel ofthe exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, a first thin filmtransistor Qa is disposed at a lower side of the pixel PX, and a secondthin film transistor Qb is disposed at an upper side of the pixel PX.Further, a second source electrode 173 b of a second thin filmtransistor Qb is connected to a data line 171 through a third sourceconnection portion 172 c. The third source connection portion 172 c isdisposed between two pixel rows to thereby be disposed between two gatelines 121 a and 121 b that are adjacent to each other. The third sourceconnection portion 172 c includes a portion that substantially extendsside by side (e.g., parallel) with the first and second gate lines 121 aand 121 b and between the first gate line 121 a and the second gate line121 b that are directly adjacent thereto.

The first gate electrode 124 a, the first source electrode 173 a and thefirst drain electrode 175 a form a first thin film transistor (“TFT”) Qawith the first semiconductor 154 a, and a channel of the first thin filmtransistor Qa is on the first semiconductor 154 a between the firstsource electrode 173 a and the first drain electrode 175 a. Further, thesecond gate electrode 124 b, the second source electrode 173 b and thesecond drain electrode 175 b form the second thin film transistor Qbwith the second semiconductor 154 b, and a channel of the second thinfilm transistor Qb is on the second semiconductor 154 b between thesecond source electrode 173 b and the second drain electrode 175 b. Thefirst thin film transistor Qa is disposed at the right of the data line171, and the second thin film transistor Qb is disposed at the left ofthe same data line 171.

In the exemplary embodiment, the second source electrode 173 b of thesecond thin film transistor Qb disposed at the left of the data line 171may be disposed at the left of the second drain electrode 175 b facingthe second source electrode 173 b, through the source connection portion172 c. Accordingly, the positional relationship between the secondsource electrode 173 b and the second drain electrode 175 b of thesecond thin film transistor Qb may be the same as the positionalrelationship between the first source electrode 173 a and the firstdrain electrode 175 a of the first thin film transistor Qa. That is,since the positional relationship of the first source electrode 173 awith respect to the first drain electrode 175 a of the first thin filmtransistor Qa is the same as the positional relationship of the secondsource electrode 173 b with respect to the second drain electrode 175 bof the second thin film transistor Qb, shapes and an arrangement of thefirst thin film transistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qb aresubstantially the same as each other.

Accordingly, since the first drain electrode 175 a and the second drainelectrode 175 b are identically disposed at the right of the firstsource electrode 173 a and the second source electrode 173 b,respectively, in the case where the data conductors 171, 175 a and 175 bare moved to the left with respect to the gate conductors 121 a and 121b, an overlapping (planar) area between the first drain electrode 175 aand the second drain electrode 175 b and the first gate electrode 124 aand the second gate electrode 124 b is uniformly increased.Additionally, if the data conductors 171, 175 a and 175 b are moved tothe right with respect to the gate conductors 121 a and 121 b, anoverlapping area between the first drain electrode 175 a and the seconddrain electrode 175 b and the first gate electrode 124 a and the secondgate electrode 124 b is uniformly decreased. Accordingly, a capacitanceof a parasitic capacitor between the first drain electrode 175 a and thesecond drain electrode 175 b and the first gate electrode 124 a and thesecond gate electrode 124 b is uniformly changed in all pixels R, G andB.

Further, since the exemplary embodiment of the third source connectionportion 172 c of the thin film transistor array panel according to theinvention is mostly disposed between the first gate line 121 a and thesecond gate line 121 b that are directly adjacent thereto, the thirdsource connection portion 172 c is not disposed in a display area, suchthat it is possible to reduce or effectively prevent deterioration of anaperture ratio by the source connection portion 172 c. In more detail,since the third source connection portion 172 c is disposed between twogate lines 121 a and 121 b both disposed between two adjacent pixelrows, the third source connection portion 172 c is disposed in anon-display area. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent thedeterioration of the aperture ratio by the third source connectionportion 172 c.

All characteristics of the thin film transistor array panels of theexemplary embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, FIG. 6and FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 can be applied to the thin film transistor arraypanel of the exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 9and 10.

Still another exemplary embodiment of a thin film transistor array panelaccording to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11.FIG. 11 is a plan view that illustrates still another exemplaryembodiment of a portion of a thin film transistor array panelillustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 11, the exemplary embodiment of the thin filmtransistor array panel is similar to the thin film transistor arraypanel of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. Similarconstituent elements are the same as the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, and a description thereof will beomitted.

However, unlike the exemplary embodiment of the thin film transistorarray panel illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, in the exemplaryembodiment of the thin film transistor array panel of FIG. 11, the thirdsource connection portion 172 c that is connected to the second sourceelectrode 173 b of the second thin film transistor Qb disposed at theleft of the data line 171 does not overlap the gate lines 121 a and 121b. The first gate line 121 a includes a notch or recess such that thesource connection portion 172 does not overlap the first gate line 121a. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate a difference in parasiticcapacitance according to a difference between an overlapping (planar)area between the first source electrode 173 a and gate lines 121 a and121 b of the first thin film transistor Qa and an overlapping areabetween the second source electrode 173 b and gate lines 121 a and 121 bof the second thin film transistor Qb. Accordingly, it is possible toreduce or effectively prevent deterioration in display quality accordingto a difference in parasitic capacitance between the first thin filmtransistor Qa and the second thin film transistor Qb disposed and theright and left of the data line 171.

In the exemplary embodiment of the thin film transistor array panel ofFIG. 11, like the thin film transistor array panel of the exemplaryembodiment with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 as described above,since the positional relationship of the first source electrode 173 awith respect to the first drain electrode 175 a of the first thin filmtransistor Qa and the position relationship of the second sourceelectrode 173 b with respect to the second drain electrode 175 b of thesecond thin film transistor Qb are the same as each other, shapes and anarrangement of the first thin film transistor Qa and the second thinfilm transistor Qb are substantially the same as each other.Accordingly, a capacitance of a parasitic capacitor between the firstdrain electrode 175 a and the second drain electrode 175 b and the firstgate electrode 124 a and the second gate electrode 124 b is uniformlychanged in all pixels R, G and B.

Further, since the exemplary embodiment of the third source connectionportion 172 c of the thin film transistor array panel according to theinvention is mostly disposed between the first gate line 121 a and thesecond gate line 121 b that are directly adjacent thereto, the thirdsource connection portion 172 c is not disposed in a display area, suchthat it is possible to reduce or effectively prevent deterioration of anaperture ratio by the third source connection portion 172 c. In moredetail, since the third source connection portion 172 c is disposedbetween two gate lines 121 a and 121 b both disposed between twoadjacent pixel rows, the third source connection portion 172 c isdisposed in a non-display area. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce oreffectively prevent the deterioration of the aperture ratio by thesource connection portion 172 c.

All characteristics of the thin film transistor array panel of theexemplary embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, FIG. 6and FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 can be applied to the thinfilm transistor array panel of the exemplary embodiment described withreference to FIG. 11.

Still yet another exemplary embodiment of a thin film transistor arraypanel according to the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a view that illustrates still yet another exemplaryembodiment of an arrangement of pixels of the thin film transistor arraypanel according to the invention.

With reference to FIG. 12, in the case of the exemplary embodiment ofthe thin film transistor array panel, similarly as the thin filmtransistor array panel of the exemplary embodiment as described above, apair of gate lines Gi+1 and Gi+2, and Gi+3 and Gi+4 are disposedrespectively above and beneath one row of pixels PX, and data lines Djare disposed one between two columns of pixels PX.

Further, the thin film transistors Qa and Qb connected to a pair ofpixels PX disposed between two data lines Dj−1 and Dj, and Dj and Dj+1that are adjacent to each other in one pixel row are connected todifferent gate lines Gi+1 and Gi+2, and Gi+3 and Gi+4. In the exemplaryembodiment, for example, the thin film transistor Qa disposed beneaththe pixel PX is connected to the lower gate lines Gi+2 and Gi+4, and thethin film transistor Qb disposed above the pixel PX is connected to theupper gate lines Gi+1 and Gi+3. In addition, a pair of pixels PX betweentwo data lines are all connected to the same data lines Dj−1, Dj andDj+1. Among a pair of pixels PX, the pixel PX that is disposed at arelatively far distance from the data lines Dj−1, Dj and Dj+1 comparedto the other pixel is connected to the respective data line Dj−1, Dj andDj+1 by a connection portion. The connection portion for connecting thedata lines Dj−1, Dj and Dj+1 to the relatively far pixel PX is disposedbetween two adjacent gate lines.

Further, two pairs of pixels PX that are adjacent in a column directionare connected to different data lines Dj−1 and Dj, and Dj and Dj+1, andtwo pairs of pixels PX that are adjacent in a row direction areconnected to different data lines Dj−1 and Dj, and Dj and Dj+1. Thedirections of the thin film transistors are the same as each other, forexample, a first pixel PX further from the data line of a pair of pixelsPX is under the pixel PX and a second pixel PX closer to the data lineof the pair of pixels PX is above the pixel PX. As a result, in a 4×4matrix structure, four pairs of pixels arranged in a matrix arerepeatedly arranged in a row direction and a column direction.

Like the exemplary embodiments of the thin film transistor array panelas described above, the positional relationships of the sourceelectrodes with respect to the drain electrodes of the thin filmtransistors Qa and Qb of two pixels PX that are adjacent to each otherwith respect to any one of the data lines Dj−1, Dj and Dj+1 may be thesame as each other.

Accordingly, a capacitance of a parasitic capacitor between two drainelectrodes and two gate electrodes of two thin film transistors Qa andQb is uniformly changed in all pixels.

All characteristics of the exemplary embodiments of the thin filmtransistor array panel described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, FIG. 6and FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 can be applied tothe thin film transistor array panel of the exemplary embodimentdescribed with reference to FIG. 12.

The various exemplary embodiments of the thin film transistor arraypanels according to the invention may be applied to various kinds ofdisplay devices in addition to the liquid crystal display.

While this invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thin film transistor array panel, comprising: afirst gate line and a second gate line which extend in a row direction,are between two adjacent pixel rows, and are adjacent to each other; adata line which extends in a column direction and transfers a datavoltage; a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode which areconnected to the data line and are adjacent to each other in the rowdirection; a first thin film transistor which is connected to the firstpixel electrode and the data line, and includes a first source electrodeand a first drain electrode; a second thin film transistor which isconnected to the second pixel electrode and the data line, and includesa second source electrode and a second drain electrode; and a firstsource connection portion which connects the second source electrode tothe data line, wherein the first source connection portion is betweenthe first gate line and the second gate line in a plan view, andrelative positions of the first source electrode and the first drainelectrode are the same as relative positions of the second sourceelectrode and the second drain electrode.
 2. The thin film transistorarray panel of claim 1, wherein: the first pixel electrode is right orthe left of the data line in the plan view, and the second pixelelectrode is opposite to the first pixel electrode with respect to thedata line in the plan view.
 3. The thin film transistor array panel ofclaim 2, wherein: the first source electrode is left of the first drainelectrode in the row direction, and the second source electrode is leftof the second drain electrode in the row direction.
 4. The thin filmtransistor array panel of claim 3, wherein: the first source connectionportion does not overlap the first gate line and the second gate line inthe plan view.
 5. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 2,further comprising a second source connection portion which connects thefirst source electrode to the data line, wherein the second sourceconnection portion is longer than the first source connection portion.6. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 5, wherein: the secondsource connection portion is between the first gate line and the secondgate line in the plan view.
 7. The thin film transistor array panel ofclaim 6, wherein: the first source connection portion and the secondsource connection portion overlap the first gate line and the secondgate line in the plan view.
 8. The thin film transistor array panel ofclaim 7, wherein: the first source electrode is left of the first drainelectrode in the row direction, and the second source electrode is leftof the second drain electrode in the row direction.
 9. The thin filmtransistor array panel of claim 1, wherein: the first source electrodeis left of the first drain electrode in the row direction, and thesecond source electrode is left of the second drain electrode in the rowdirection.
 10. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 1, wherein:the first source connection portion does not overlap the first gate lineand the second gate line in the plan view.
 11. The thin film transistorarray panel of claim 1, further comprising a second source connectionportion which connects the first source electrode to the data line,wherein the second source connection portion is longer than the firstsource connection portion.
 12. A thin film transistor array panel,comprising: a plurality of pixel electrodes in a matrix form; aplurality of gate lines which extend in a row direction and are intwo-to-one correspondence with pixel electrode rows; and a plurality ofdata lines which extend in a column direction and are in one-to-twocorrespondence with pixel electrode columns, wherein the plurality ofpixel electrodes includes a first pixel electrode and a second pixelelectrode which are adjacent in a row direction, and a first data lineof the plurality of data lines is between the first and second pixelelectrodes in a plan view, the first pixel electrode is connected to afirst thin film transistor including a first gate electrode, a firstsource electrode connected to the first data line and a first drainelectrode which faces the first source electrode, the second pixelelectrode is connected to a second thin film transistor including asecond gate electrode, a second source electrode connected to a seconddata line adjacent to the first data line, and a second drain electrodewhich faces the second source electrode, a first source connectionportion connects the second source electrode to the second data line,the first source connection portion and a first gate line and a secondgate line among the plurality of gate lines are between two adjacentpixel electrode rows, the first source connection portion between thefirst gate line and the second gate line adjacent to each other, in theplan view, and relative positions of the first source electrode and thefirst drain electrode are the same as relative positions of the secondsource electrode and the second drain electrode.
 13. The thin filmtransistor array panel of claim 12, wherein: the first pixel electrodeis right or left of the first data line in the plan view, and the secondpixel electrode is opposite to the first pixel electrode with respect tothe first data line in the plan view.
 14. The thin film transistor arraypanel of claim 13, wherein: the first source electrode is left of thefirst drain electrode in the row direction, and the second sourceelectrode is left of the second drain electrode in the row direction.15. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 14, wherein: the firstsource connection portion does not overlap the first gate line and thesecond gate line in the plan view.
 16. The thin film transistor arraypanel of claim 13, wherein: a second source connection portion connectsthe first source electrode to the data line, and the second sourceconnection portion is longer than the first source connection portion.17. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 16, wherein: thesecond source connection portion is between the first gate line and thesecond gate line in the plan view.
 18. The thin film transistor arraypanel of claim 17, wherein: the first source connection portion and thesecond source connection portion overlap the first gate line and thesecond gate line in the plan view.
 19. The thin film transistor arraypanel of claim 18, wherein: the first source electrode is left of thefirst drain electrode in the row direction, and the second sourceelectrode is left of the second drain electrode in the row direction.20. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 12, wherein: the firstsource electrode is left of the first drain electrode in the rowdirection, and the second source electrode is left of the second drainelectrode in the row direction.
 21. The thin film transistor array panelof claim 12, wherein: the first source connection portion does notoverlap the first gate line and the second gate line in the plan view.22. The thin film transistor array panel of claim 12, wherein: a secondsource connection portion connects the first source electrode to thedata line, and the second source connection portion is longer than thefirst source connection portion.
 23. The thin film transistor arraypanel of claim 12, wherein: with respect to one pixel row, the firstthin film transistor is at an upper side or a lower side of the onepixel row in the plan view, and the second thin film transistor is at anopposite side to the first thin film transistor in the plan view.